Happy Birthday, Blog!!

It has been exactly one year since I started my blogging adventure.  I can't believe how time has flown, how much I have learned, and how much my baby has grown and evolved.  It's amazing to look back on those blogs and see how tiny Rickybear was and see all the skills he has mastered since then.  I look forward to each upcoming holiday so I can compare how we celebrated last year and how much he has changed since then.

Thank you to all of the friends and family who have read the blog since the beginning.  It means a lot to have your support and read your comments.  With the new baby on the way, there is no end in sight to the posts.  I hope yall continue to read and share in this journey for the upcoming year.

Here is a link to the very post post that was written a year ago:

Hello, day!

I have a bunch of posts loaded with pics to be posted throughout the week.  We visited Boo at the Zoo, the Corn Maze, and Rickybear trick-or-treated for the first time.  I have all those pictures on a REAL camera (as opposed to my phone), so I will actually have to plug it up and upload them.  I hope to get some free time (HA!) very soon to do that.  I hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween!

Pregnancy Update- Week 33

So, it’s been awhile, but nothing too much has changed.  Thinking back, I think I feel better that I did at this point in my last pregnancy.  I remember the hip pain waking me up and causing me to cry in the middle of the night last time, but only some mild discomfort this time.  I am starting to swell a little bit, but my blood pressure is low and my weight is still lower than my starting weight.  Aside from the gestational diabetes and the cold I have now had for two weeks, I couldn’t have asked for a smoother pregnancy.

I still have my moments where I just want the baby OUT.  I have the fear that the heart will stop beating and I won’t know.  I haven’t really had to do kick counts because although the baby doesn’t move a lot during the day, it’s very active in the evening and at night. 

The countdown is on.  Tomorrow will be six weeks until the expected delivery date.  I have so much to do!  I haven’t packed a hospital bag.  I have to finish working on the guest room (take out the computer desk and finish putting together the toddler bed), put together to changing station, move Rickybear’s clothes to the dresser in the guest room, take the newborn clothes out of the attic and wash them, fill out my FMLA paperwork, sterilize my new breast pump and make sure all the parts are there and are working, buy some newborn diapers and formula, do a huge shopping trip and spend a few days making freezer meals for when the baby comes, and maybe hire someone to help me do one big house cleaning before the baby arrives.

I go to the doctor again on Tuesday for my 34 week checkup.  At that time we will schedule an ultrasound for around 36 weeks to see how big the baby is and get a game plan together.  I am not opposed to another induction, but I would like to avoid a C-section if at all possible.  I am also getting nervous about the actual delivery.  I am sad that Rickybear will be spending the night with his grandparents while we stay at the hospital- he has never spent the night away from me.  He will be just fine, but I need the assurance that I can care for him if he wakes up sick or scared and that I can watch him breath or sleep if I get anxious.

The baby is the size of a pineapple this week.  It should be about 4.25 pounds, but since the baby was measuring big last time we did a sonogram, I am sure it’s a little heavier than that.

43 days to go!

Curing Diaper Rash

The following post is pasted from LifeasMOM.  I find it very helpful.

Feel free to visit this great blog!

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Curing Diaper Rash

October 26, 2011

The following is written by LifeasMOM contributor, Lauren:

If you have a little one, it is almost inevitable that he will battle diaper rash at some point. Whether it is diaper rash as a side effect from medicine or from a reaction to certain diapers, it can be a tough problem to cure.
While there are many good diaper creams on the market, there are also some simple things you can do to make diaper rash less painful for your little one.

Ways to Combat Simple Diaper Rash

Skip the Disposable Wipes

While diaper wipes are ultra convenient, they are filled with chemicals. When using them on broken skin, the wipes can irritate the skin further and cause a reaction that looks like a burn – and feels like one too! Disposable Wipes seem to only make diaper rash worse because they don’t give the skin a chance to heal.

Use Warm Water and Gentle Soap

Instead of using disposable wipes on bums with diaper rash, simply use plain warm water on a clean washcloth. If you need to use soap, only use a small amount of gentle “baby” soap. The fewer soaps, detergents and chemicals on your baby’s skin during this time, the better.

Use a Barrier Cream

Choose a good barrier cream that has an ample amount of zinc oxide. Be faithful in using it every time a diaper is changed.

Change Your Baby Often

Babies should have their diapers changed often – every couple of hours at least. Even though most modern disposable diapers are made to hold 6-8 hours of urine doesn’t mean that they should. The more frequently a baby is changed, the quicker simple diaper rash will heal.

photo source

But what about the kind of diaper rash that doesn’t respond to diaper creams? Or using plain warm water at changing time?

Here are two great tricks we use to treat the more difficult type of diaper rash when it shows up at our house. You know the kind: the rash that comes when a baby is taking antibiotics or has loose stools during a stomach bug. It can be heartbreaking to change diapers when it hurts your little one so terribly!

Use Baking Soda

Baking soda is my go-to resource when battling a really bad case of diaper rash. Its healing properties haven’t failed me yet! Here’s my method:

Each time I change a diaper, I wash the baby’s bottom with a mixture of warm water and baking soda. I dissolve 2-3 heaping tablespoons of baking soda in about 3-4 cups of water and then dip my washcloth in the solution prior to washing the baby’s skin. Then I use another dry washcloth and lightly pat the skin dry before fastening the diaper. Don’t rub the skin dry, as you want the baking soda solution to stay on the skin to decrease acidity.

If I know that I’m going to need the baking soda solution all day, I make a batch in the morning and place it in an old wipes container and out of reach of my other littles. If you choose to make one
container for the day, make sure you use a clean, dry washcloth each time you use your solution to avoid contaminating it.

Also, at bath time I bathe the baby in a baking soda bath. I use about 1 full cup of baking soda in a bath tub of water. Pour the baking soda into the tub and dissolve while filling the tub with warm water. Again, make sure to pat the skin dry as to not rub off the baking soda.

Liberally use Lanolin

Mothers tend to think of lanolin in relation to the early days of breastfeeding. But it has so many other healing and soothing properties! It is an excellent skin barrier and can safely be used on broken skin where other creams cannot.

To use lanolin, squirt a small dime-size amount on the ends of your fingers and “work it” between your fingers a few moments. The heat of your skin will make it more pliable and easy to work with. After it becomes more elastic, simply dab it onto your baby’s skin. Put it on anywhere the baby’s skin needs protection. This is an especially good product to use at night time when your baby won’t be changed as
often.

When to See the Doctor

Some cases of diaper rash just can’t be treated at home. Occasionally they can progress into yeast or a secondary infection. If you have concerns about your baby’s diaper rash not healing or not responding to your treatment at home, go ahead and give your pediatrician a call.

Wordless Wednesday

Someone has mastered the art of head tilting...

A birthday party

After his haircut on Saturday, Ricky attended a birthday party for his friend, Natalie, who turned 4.  Her mommy was the Maid of Honor at my wedding and her daughter was the first infant that I ever held.  Talk about scary!  Some of the girls from work went to visit her while she labored at the hospital and then I came back after work to see the baby and was forced to hold her.  I just knew I would break her!  But, 4 years later she is still alive and well.  =)

Ricky really loved the ball pit once he figured out how to get into it.  Black mesh can be deceptive, you know.  He was trying to throw the balls back into the pit, but I guess he didn't realize that the mesh would stop them from going in, because they kept bouncing back at him and he just kept trying again.

They also had a jumpy thingy, which I had wanted to Ricky's next birthday party.  Once the other kiddos were out of it, I let him go at it.  He loved it.  I will def get one for his birthday party.  He would even throw himself down on purpose and just lay there and giggle.

He did really good being around so many people that he didn't know.  I was worried, but he showed no anxiety whatsoever, even though he is used to only spending time with us and his grandparents.

We also picked up Natalie's old toddler bed while we were there.  Talk about depressing- a haircut and a toddler bed on the same day!  Where is my little baby?!?!

I am overwhelmed every day by how awesome it is to be a mom.  Yes, it can be exhausting and less than perfect, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Look at this face... how could I??

Wordless Wednesday

Rickybear's first official haircut!

  I am so glad we could schedule it so daddy could be there.  It worked in our favor that Bear was still sleepy from the car ride over, so he didn't get too fiesty until the end.  He looks like such a big boy now. 

I have a lot more pics taken later on in the day from a birthday party and also from the zoo on Sunday, so you will get a better picture of the finished product in the upcoming days.

Swinging your cares away

These are some pics from a trip Rickybear took to the park with his Nana last week.  You can tell they are from last week... because over the weekend he had his first real haircut!!

Sorry for the lack of updates, but this mommy has been super sick and laying in bed for the past two days.  I go to the OB today so hopefully she can check me out and tell me if I am almost over this or if I need some medicine.  I can't miss any more work!